A longitudinal study found that parenthood does not significantly improve parents' diets compared to non-parents, with both groups showing similar decreases in saturated fat intake and increases in fruit and vegetable consumption over time. However, parents lag behind their childless counterparts in making healthier dietary changes.
A longitudinal study of 900 individuals found that under-controlled temperament in early childhood is a significant predictor of disordered gambling in adulthood. Those with restless, impulsive, and negative behaviors were twice as likely to develop problems with gambling.
A Commonwealth Fund report reveals that nearly two-thirds of individuals who tried to buy individual health insurance policies found it difficult or impossible to find affordable coverage. The report also shows that longer insurance gaps are linked to lower rates of screening and preventive care, with significant disparities among thos...
A recent study found that illicit drug use among 50- to 64-year-olds in England has significantly increased, with lifetime cannabis use rising from 1.0% in 1993 to 11.4% in 2007. Recent cannabis use also showed a substantial increase. Other illicit drugs used were less common.
A new study found that people who consumed diet beverages tended to be less healthy than those who didn't, but had lower risks when paired with a prudent diet. Those who ate a western diet had increased risk of heart disease regardless of diet drink consumption.
Children growing up in poverty are more likely to develop chronic diseases due to stress. However, research suggests that positive role models and teaching children stress-coping strategies like 'shift-and-persist' may improve their health outcomes.
A new study reveals that children exposed to passive smoke have a nearly double risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood compared to non-exposed children. Childhood exposure was found to be a stronger risk factor for COPD and related symptoms than adult exposure.
A recent NIH brain imaging study found that viewing images of infant faces activates specific brain circuits associated with care giving behavior. These findings suggest a biological impulse governing adults' interactions with small children, which may have implications for preventing child neglect and abuse.
Researchers identified five distinct dietary patterns among US adults based on demographic factors such as age, race, region, gender, income, and education. These patterns include the Southern, Traditional, Healthy, Sweets, and Alcohol diets, which have clear differences in food choices across demographic groups.
Researchers argue that UK law on cycle helmets should apply only to kids due to equivocal evidence of adult protection. The authors suggest a paternalistic approach and instead recommend public health information to empower adults to make their own decisions about helmet-wearing.
The American College of Physicians recommends starting colorectal cancer screening at age 50 for average-risk adults, with individualized assessments and tailored intervals based on risk factors. The guidelines also encourage shared decision-making between patients and physicians to weigh benefits and harms.
A new study from UCSF identifies a broad number of evidence-based recommendations for young adult preventive care. The transition to young adulthood is associated with increased engagement in health-damaging behaviors and preventable health problems. Primary care visits present an opportunity to improve the health of this population.
A Northwestern University study found that maintaining a healthy lifestyle from young adulthood into middle age can significantly reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Those who adhered to five key lifestyle factors, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity, were more likely to maintain a low-risk profile in their 40s.
A study by McMaster University psychologist Daphne Maurer found that playing video games for just 40 hours can reverse visual processing deficiencies in adults. The researchers also discovered that babies and toddlers initially exhibit a form of synaesthesia, which gradually disappears as they develop.
A new study reveals that 77% of trauma patients have deficient or insufficient levels of vitamin D. Researchers found a strong link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of muscle weakness, bone fractures, and poor bone healing.
Researchers measured beta-amyloid levels in healthy adults between 30 and 90 years old, finding that high levels correlated with cognitive deficits. The study suggests subtle effects on cognition occur early, highlighting the need for interventions to slow or halt disease progression.
A new study suggests that a parent's education level can affect the mental health of their offspring. Higher levels of parental education are linked to fewer mental health issues in adult children.
A recent study published in Psychological Science reveals that children raised in families with nurturing mothers are more likely to remain healthy across the life course, even those from low socioeconomic status backgrounds. The research found that parental nurturance can mitigate the negative effects of childhood disadvantage and is ...
A new study found that adults who participated in high-quality early childhood education programs in the 1970s had significantly more years of education and were four times more likely to have earned college degrees. They also had better employment rates and were less likely to use public assistance.
A new study at Brigham and Women's Hospital is testing two new types of light technologies to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The trial aims to determine which technology works better in reducing SAD symptoms over a six-week period.
A new study published in Acta Paediatrica found that children prefer colorful food plates with multiple items and figurative designs, while adults tend to prefer simpler arrangements. The study suggests that adding color to meals can make nutritionally diverse foods more appealing to picky eaters.
Researchers found that young children do not use category labels in the same way adults do, relying instead on the most distinctive feature of an object. This challenges long-held theories about how children mentally organize their world and has implications for teaching and communication with young children.
Researchers found a strong connection between compulsive tendencies and hypersensitivity in childhood, with ritualistic behaviors developing as a defence mechanism. A longitudinal study aims to better understand the connection between childhood sensitivities and adult OCD.
Researchers found that 4- to 5-year-old children do not use words to categorize objects in the world around them. Instead, they rely on more salient features like movement and shape. This challenges conventional thinking on how language affects cognition.
A study found that middle-aged adults with low education levels are twice as likely to die as those with higher education, despite progress in reducing health disparities. New causes of death are fueled by high rates of mortality among people with lower education.
A study by McMaster researchers found that young adults' physical activity declines sharply after transitioning to university or college, with men experiencing the largest decrease. This decline can be attributed to a combination of factors, including changes in lifestyle and reduced engagement in leisure activities.
Research shows that intensive maternal care during infancy promotes the effect of neuropeptide Y in the brain, leading to reduced anxiety and increased body weight in adulthood. The study found that maternal care stimulated the persistent formation of certain NPY receptors in the forebrain.
Researchers have created two new methods to treat overeating in children and adults, focusing on internal hunger and satiety cues. The 'appetite awareness' group trained participants to regulate eating by monitoring their hunger and satiety cues, while the 'cue exposure' group taught them to tolerate cravings to reduce overeating.
A study found that babies born with very low birth weight had lower cognitive test scores, particularly in executive functioning such as attention and visual memory, compared to those born at a normal weight. The study also showed no difference in academic performance but highlighted the importance of full development in the womb.
Researchers found that for younger white children, language plays a dominant role in defining a person's identity, often surpassing race. In contrast, older white and African American children prioritize racial identity. This study sheds light on the development of social categorization in young children.
Researchers found that more than one-quarter of Canadian adults will be diagnosed with hypertension by 2012/13. Higher rates were observed in women older than 65 and in the Atlantic provinces.
A new review of research into childhood obesity and metabolic disease in adulthood suggests that treating obesity during childhood can remove the risk of lasting harm. However, the study also found that being overweight or obese as a child may actually increase the risk of health problems later in life.
A study published in The Lancet found that around 1 in 12 adolescents self-harm, with girls being more likely to do so. Most participants who self-harmed as teens stopped doing so by their early twenties.
A new study reveals that US teens are at a higher risk of dying from heart disease due to high blood sugar levels, obesity, and poor diets. The research found that only zero children or adolescents met the criteria for ideal cardiovascular health.
Researchers found that adolescent male hamsters showed signs of depressive-like behaviors, lower body mass, and changes in brain cells after early-life sexual experience. This suggests that sex during adolescence may be interpreted by the body as a stressor, leading to lasting negative effects on adult body and mood.
A study found that individuals who were legally permitted to drink before the age of 21 remain at elevated risk for suicide and homicide as adults, particularly women born after 1960. The study suggests that higher minimum legal drinking ages may be preventing approximately 600 suicides and 600 homicides annually.
A new study found that childhood aggression is strongly linked to poorer health in adulthood, with increases in medical visits, injuries, and lifestyle-related illnesses. People with lower education levels were more likely to use health services.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that rural adolescents who engage in prosocial behaviors like volunteering and helping others are less likely to use substances as young adults. This research has important implications for substance use prevention and intervention programs aimed at teens.
A study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that experiencing social stressors during adolescence and young adulthood can lead to increased disease risk factors in middle age. The researchers analyzed data from 822 participants and discovered a significant link between early adversity and allostatic load, a measure of phys...
A recent study found that a childhood dietary intervention resulted in significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels and systolic blood pressure in young adulthood. The study suggests that reducing fat and increasing fiber intake during childhood may have long-term benefits for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
A study by Uppsala University found that Bisphenol A exposure in newborn mice causes permanent changes in brain function, leading to hyperactivity and poor adaptation to new environments. The effect persists into adulthood, affecting the cholinergic signal system.
Research by Guillermo Campitelli and Fernand Gobet found that deliberate practice is necessary to achieve mastery in skills like chess. However, the duration of practice alone does not guarantee success. Other factors such as intelligence, handedness, and working memory also contribute to an individual's ability to excel in these areas.
A new report reviews over 70 mentoring program evaluations and confirms that mentoring programs confer many benefits across behavioral, social, emotional, and academic domains. However, improvements in youth outcomes tend to be modest and it's unclear how well such gains hold up over time.
Researchers found that alternating between learning and unlearning an unusual walking pattern on a split-belt treadmill improved relearning speed. The standard approach of repetitive practice may not be the most effective way to help patients recover from stroke or other injuries.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have conducted the first study to investigate head impact characteristics in youth football. The study has collected data on over 400 head impacts experienced by a local youth team, revealing that most impacts are less severe and less frequent than in adult football.
A Stanford study found that family members of gastric-bypass patients lost an average of 8 pounds, adopted healthier habits, and increased physical activity. The 'halo effect' was observed, where accompanying the patient to pre- and post-operative visits led to significant weight loss and behavioral changes.
Pediatric injuries from ATVs are a growing concern, with children under 16 being particularly at risk. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that ATV-related emergency department visits have increased, with more children injured than bicycles.
An expert at the University of Missouri has identified employment resources for adults with autism, including state vocational rehabilitation programs and job seekers' recommendations. These resources aim to improve workplace accommodations and hiring processes, enabling individuals with autism to succeed in the workforce.
A new health needs assessment framework is proposed to better manage child contacts of adult TB cases. The approach aims to reduce child mortality and the reservoir of M. tuberculosis in the community, contributing to TB elimination.
Researchers analyzed medical records of 717 children and 1,368 young adults diagnosed with melanoma. Children were found to have a higher risk of metastases in lymph nodes compared to adults. Survival rates did not differ significantly by age among those with metastatic melanoma.
In a study analyzing Utah homicide data from 2002-2007, child abuse homicide offenders were convicted at an 88.2% rate, comparable to the 83% conviction rate for adult offenders. The authors found no significant differences in felony conviction or sentencing severity between child and adult abuse cases.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found a strong connection between premature birth and an increased risk of developing epilepsy later in life. Adults born prematurely were five times more likely to be hospitalized for epilepsy compared to those born full-term.
A study of over 600,000 Swedish individuals born between 1973-1979 found that preterm birth was associated with increased mortality in early childhood and young adulthood. The strongest inverse association was observed in young adults, particularly for congenital anomalies and respiratory disorders.
A new study finds that children raised in poverty who have nurturing mothers are less likely to develop metabolic syndrome and experience health problems in adulthood. The study suggests that maternal nurturance plays a crucial role in reducing and managing childhood stress, ultimately promoting healthier outcomes for these children.
Researchers found that quitting smoking is associated with a decrease in impulsivity and neuroticism in young adults. Those who quit smoking also showed the biggest declines in these traits from ages 18 to 25. The study suggests targeting anti-smoking efforts at impulsivity may help young people stop smoking.
A 14-year study found a significant increase in ischemic stroke hospitalizations among adolescents and young adults, with nearly one-third of patients aged 15-34 years also diagnosed with hypertension. The study highlights the need for public health initiatives to reduce risk factors for stroke among this age group.
Researchers found that domestic disputes increase when young adults continue to live at home with their parents. This 'full nest syndrome' affects emerging adults (18-25) and leads to conflicts related to personal values and social expectations.
A 40-year follow-up study revisits preschool children who were tested with marshmallows and cookies, revealing that their ability to delay gratification remained consistent into adulthood. Brain imaging showed key differences between high and low delayers in the prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum.
A new study found that cumulative benefits of physical activity across adulthood are associated with improved midlife physical performance and strength. Leisure time physical activity is crucial for maintaining physical performance and muscle strength in older adults, promoting functional health and quality of life.
Research finds children of mothers with extreme morning sickness may suffer from anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression as adults. A UCLA-USC study suggests prolonged malnutrition and stress during fetal brain development could contribute to these lifelong neurobehavioral disorders.